The journey to see the Fairy Queen was proving to be a wonderous one. At their original heights, the group had ignored the city that was the Faes home. Now being reduced to only 6 inches in height they were in awe of what they saw.
Numerous homes, buildings, bridges and shops littered the trees, literally built into the surrounding forest. Darren watched as fairies flew between the buildings, going about their everyday lives. The group watched as they flitted in and out of shops built into trees and mushrooms, exiting with groceries, clothing, even smartphones. It was surreal watching it, tiny flying people going about their daily routines in much the same way everyone else did.
"Is that a fitness club," Darren asked, pointing to a small group of fairies exiting a hole in a tree dressed in workout attire.
"Well yeah," Mina stated. "What did you expect?"
"Well not a gym," Darren mumbled. Mina laughed, flying onwards as the group now made their way across a suspension bridge. Or at least most of them.
Hannah let out a triumphant call as the gynoid monkey sailed from branch to branch. "This is awesome," she exclaimed. "I'm so small it feels like I'm flying!" Hannah hooted once more, useing her tail to grasp a small branch, building enough momentum to propel her forward.
"Remind me to give Hannah a soft reboot when we get back," Steph sighed. Darren chuckled, glancing back as the Soul Drive carefully made her way across the bridge. "How you holding up Steph?"
"Well on the plus side my systems are unaffected by miniaturization," she grumbled. "Still I hate heights and right now everything is really, really high!"
Darren smirked, slowing down so as to help Steph cross. "Promise I'll make it up to you Steph," he said.
Steph smiled, the maid droid thanking Darren as she now looked towards the front, noticing Misaki and Crystal. "Well you can make it up to me now."
"Ok how?"
Steph paused, allowing the others to move further along so that she and Darren had some privacy. "Its no secret you like Misaki," she said. "And it's no secret you like Crystal too."
"Did Hannah tell you," Darren asked in alarm. Steph shook her head no, placing a hand on Darren's shoulder. "No she didn't but it's pretty obvious to everyone except you three." Darren simply nodded as they continued moving forward. "So what do you want me to do?"
"Its not what I want," Steph chuckled. "Its what you want. Remember Darren I'm here to serve. Yeah I give advise, maybe even give you a push in the right direction but it's never about me. It's about you."
Darren nodded, watching the two girls he had a crush on. "I dont know its weird," he whispered. "I mean, I've had a crush on Crystal forever. What is it about Misaki?"
"I can answer that," Steph said. "Its actually really simple. You've gotten to know Misaki. Sure shes cute but it's her personality, her character. I'm actually impressed, your looking at someone for more than just their looks. Your maturing Darren, growing up right before my eyes."
"So now what then," he asked.
"Your call," Steph stated. "But if I were you I would start with maybe talking with her and maybe asking her out. Nothing crazy, just start simple. A movie or a trip to the arcade or something."
"But what if it doesn't work out," Darren asked sheepishly.
Steph chuckled, the maid droids face forming into a smile. "That's love Darren," she said softly. "Sometimes it works out, sometimes it doesn't, no matter what it's a learning experience. No matter what though, I'll be here for you, always."
Darren smiled, hugging the maid droid before running to meet up with Misaki, the teenage girl giving him a sweet smile. "Hey Misaki," Darren said, his voice cracking slightly. "Sorry about shrinking you."
"Its cool," Misaki giggled. "Believe me, this isnt the weirdest thing that's ever happened to me."
"Really," Darren asked in awe. Misaki nodded, a soft laugh escaping her lips. "Growing up and being part kitsune I've seen worse," she chuckled. "My cousins turned me into a fox statue one time. Then there was the other time I got turned into an actual fox. Oh and the time I got turned into a fox maid. Man was my dad pissed."
Darren gaped at the girl as she now listed the various transformations she had experienced in her short life. Darren gulped as he now steeled himself. He was about to take a big step. "So Misaki," he asked, his palms beginning to sweat. "I, um, was wondering if you would like to see a movie or something when we get back home."
"With everyone."
"No just us," Darren responded, his heart practically leaping from his chest. Misaki stopped dead, the Japanese teens cheeks blushing as she shyly looked at Darren. "I..um...I would like that."
Darren was silently screaming for joy as a wide smile spread across his face. The two teens exchanging an awkward look before holding hands. As they now continued forward, Steph could only smile. Finally her master was beginning to show some initiative.